Would you take a short cruise on one of the world's largest ships?
Recently, I returned from a 4-night getaway on Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship currently ranked 7th among the largest cruise ships in the world. With over 5,400 passengers onboard, Allure is packed with activities, dining options, and entertainment that make you feel like you're vacationing in a floating city at sea.
Multiple neighborhoods are available to explore, from the lively Boardwalk to the peaceful Central Park, a garden-lined promenade with thousands of real plants. The Pool and Sports Zone also has three pools, a FlowRider surf simulator, a zipline, a mini-golf course, and a full-sized basketball court.
In short, there's so much to do onboard that 4 days might not be enough. Having cruised on Oasis Class ships six times—ranging from 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries to an 8-night Southern Caribbean voyage—I was curious why some passengers might embark on a shorter cruise on these massive ships.
In the past, I've felt like a week onboard wasn't enough. With all the entertainment, dining, and activities, it takes time to experience everything Oasis Class ships offer. I was skeptical that a 4-night cruise wouldn't feel like a complete vacation, especially with just one day at sea.
Surprisingly, I found the shorter itinerary to be a refreshing change. Instead of feeling pressure to cross every activity off my list, I opted for what I was in the mood for, whether lounging in the Solarium, watching an AquaTheater show, or splurging on a specialty meal.
Plus, despite visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay six times within the past two years, it's one of my favorite cruise ports. Whether I'm on a budget and enjoying the complimentary beaches, relaxing at the upscale Coco Beach Club, or spending the day at Thrill Waterpark, there's always something new to experience.
In other words, CocoCay offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure on even short 3- and 4-night getaways. You don't even have to get off the ship if you don't want to!
Still not convinced? Here are 5 reasons to take a short cruise on one of today's mega-ships.
Read more: I went on a 4-day cruise to The Bahamas
Less PTO required
You'll likely only need two or three days off work for a 3-night cruise departing on Friday and returning on Monday. If you plan a vacation over a long weekend, such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Veteran's Day, you might only need to request one day of PTO. This makes short cruises convenient for those with limited time off or tight schedules.
Though 4-night sailings typically take place from Monday to Friday, they offer flexibility for those who can take a few days off midweek. They're great for people with a little more time available but don’t want to commit to a full week away.
Because we flew in the day before our cruise, my dad and I spent 5 nights away from home. Leaving on Sunday and returning on Friday afternoon was nice, as I was ready to spend the weekend at home with my fiancée and wasn't too exhausted from my cruise.
Moreover, because of my dad's work schedule, he only needed four days off, rather than five. Ever since I can remember, he's taken Wednesdays off and gone to work on Saturdays instead, so the timing of this short cruise fit well with his usual schedule. Sailings that depart and return on Saturdays are less than ideal, as he has to take six days off!
Read more: I work remotely from a cruise ship all the time, and a lot more people are doing the same thing
Cheaper fares
My dad and I booked our 4-night cruise aboard Allure of the Seas on a whim. Less than one month from departure, we found a "Going, Going, Gone" deal for less than $430/person. Eager to return to one of our favorite ships, we didn't hesitate to book the sailing, even though we'd be staying in a windowless inside cabin.
Even if you plan a cruise in advance, the overall cost of a 3- or 4-night sailing is typically cheaper than a weeklong voyage. For example, a 3-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing in Nov. 2025 starts at $549/person, whereas the price of a 7-night cruise on Symphony of the Seas, another Oasis Class ship, begins at $840/person.
Not only is the fare itself cheaper but fewer days onboard means you'll pay less for daily add-ons, such as Wi-Fi and drink packages. Carnival, for instance, charges $247.62 for their CHEERS! drink package on a 3-night cruise (if purchased in advance). Compartively, their only alcoholic beverage package increases to $495.18 for a 7-night cruise.
Extra money for add-ons
With the money saved on the cruise fare, you might be more likely to splurge on memorable experiences, like a fun specialty dining meal or excursion.
Because our fare totaled $834.36 and we utilized credit card points to pay for half our airfare, we didn't hesitate to book a few experiences we might not have otherwise, such as a meal at the Chef's Table and an excursion to Blue Lagoon Island. My dad also wanted to check out Thrill Waterpark, having only been to Perfect Day at CocoCay before its multi-million dollar renovation.
Our excursions and specialty dining, including an additional meal at Samba Grill, cost around $565. Because we didn't spend upwards of $500 or $600 per person on our fare, we did everything we wanted without stretching our budget. On a few of my longer cruises, I've been much more cautious about my incidental spending; however, it was nice not to worry about it this time.
Read more: 16 hidden cruise ship extra charges you should know about
Easier to plan
With just 3 or 4 nights onboard, you don't have to worry about planning a weeklong vacation. While cruises are convenient with everything from dining to entertainment under one roof, passengers must plan everything from shore excursions to specialty dining. Typically, shorter cruises have fewer ports than longer voyages, so there's less pressure to find the perfect tour in 3 or 4 destinations.
Additionally, if you are traveling with a large group, shorter cruises offer the flexibility to cater to everyone's preferences without the stress of coordinating an extended trip. Plus, it's easier to find dates that work for everyone if you aren't trying to block out an entire week of travel.
While vacations are a great time to visit loved ones and make precious memories together, finding a 7-night cruise that works for everyone can be difficult when considering school holidays, extracurriculars, work schedules, and other commitments.
For example, my dad works in furniture sales and often has to plan his PTO around the furniture markets in North Carolina. As such, our 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas worked with his schedule since there aren't any markets in November, allowing him to take a quick getaway without missing important work commitments.
Read more: 15 trends in cruising you should know about
Non-stop entertainment options
When it comes to entertainment, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships deliver in a big way. From Broadway-style musicals to high-diving spectaculars and plenty of live music, a short cruise is packed with nonstop excitement.
However, there's also no pressure to keep your itinerary jam-packed. For instance, having cruised on Allure of the Seas before, my father and I decided to skip Mamma Mia. While we still went to the ice skating show Blades and Oceanaria, the Aquatheater performance, we didn't want each night of our cruise to revolve around a set schedule of shows.
Instead, we gambled in the casino, caught up over drinks, and listened to live music in the pub. That said, I appreciated the option to keep our schedule busy from sun up to sun down. Had I been traveling with my fiancée, we likely would have spent our time onboard differently. But that's what is so great about cruising: you can tailor your experience to fit your mood and who you're traveling with!
Read more: I spent 3 days on Royal Caribbean's latest mega-ship
While I prefer longer sailings, I wouldn't hesitate to book a shorter cruise on a massive ship again
At the end of the day, a cruise is a cruise. Whether you're on a 3-night getaway celebrating a friend's birthday or on a weeklong, multi-generational family cruise, the experience is all about creating lasting memories, taking advantage of the ship's amenities, and exploring ports of call.
Though longer sailings will always be my favorite, as I find it hard to fully acclimate to the cruise life in just 3 or 4 nights, the shorter voyages are perfect for those who want a quick escape or are on a budget.
From the non-stop entertainment to the convenience of having everything under one roof, short cruises showcase a surprising amount of fun you can squeeze in during a limited timeframe.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
